S 643 
.E3 
Copy 1 



Bulletin 303 September, 1911 



SOIL FERTILIZATION 



How to Supply the Missing Elements 
in Worn-Out Soils 



Issued by 

Department of Chemistry 
Eagle Lime Products Co. 

Office Pereles Bldg., Milwaukee, Wis. Plant, Dousman, Wis. 



Bulletin 303 September, 1911 



SOIL FERTILIZATION 



How to Supply the Missing Elements 
in Worn-Out Soils 



Issued by 

Department of Chemistry 
Eagle Lime Products Co. 

Office, Pereles Bldg. , Milwaukee, Wis. Plant, Dousman, Wis. 



Copyright 1911 

by 

Eagle Lime Products Co. 






Foreword 



This pamphlet, describing Soil Tonic and its uses, has 
been prepared in order to interest you in better farming. To 
be successful, the modern farmer must be a business man 
and apply business methods to his farm. American farming 
is no longer merely a means of raising enough to feed one's 
own family, but of supplying food to the world.. It has 
become a business. 

Two hundred and fifty years ago, when our country was 
first being settled, each colonist raised his own grains and 
vegetables. It was merely necessary to break ground and 
plant seed. There was plenty of virgin soil. Today our 
rich farm lands are scarcer and more costly. The farmer 
must raise more from each acre and must cultivate every 
available part of his land. In* order to accomplish this, he 
needs an agent to free the elements of his soil and an agent 
to place all his soil in proper condition. That agent is Soil 
Tonic, which is a Marl or Carbonate of Lime. 



©a A 2951 



Soil Fertilization 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES. 

1 he value of the farm depends primarily on the character of the soil — 
its fertility and the crops it will produce. All farmers are aware of the 
vast difference there is, in this respect, between soils in different localities, 
or indeed, on different farms in the same locality. In many cases a large 
amount of natural fertility was stored up in the soil, and this has been 
maintained by a wise system of farming so that paying crops are harvested 
from the land season after season. In other cases, the soil has always had 
a low crop-producing power and unless the farmer uses scientific methods 
to increase the fertility of the land the returns obtained by tilling the soil 
will remain low. 

The fertility of the soil must be maintained above everything else, in 
order that the farm may yield sufficient income to the owner anil his 
family for the necessities of life and the comforts to which they are en- 
titled. Science has shown us how to accomplish this; bow to earn a com- 
fortable living from the farm and at the same time leave it in a better con- 
dition for the production of future crops. 

THE CHARACTER AM) COMPOSITION OE SOILS. 

Soil is, in most cases, largely of mineral origin, derived from the de- 
composition and weathering of rock materials that make up the earth's 
crust. This decomposition has come through the action of water, frost, 
chemicals, previous vegetation, and animal and bacterial life which is 
found in the soil. Some soils, like peat, marsh or alluvial land, are largely 
of vegetable origin, having been formed from decayed vegetation, but 
most of these also contain a considerable proportion of fine mineral soil 
components. Soils are generally classified as clay, loamy, sandy, calcareous, 
gravelly or humus, according to their main chemical characteristics; the 
former two are sometimes sub-divided into sandy and pure clays; clay, 
silt, sandy and gravelly loams, etc. The origin of the soils determines 
in the main their inherent fertility and their value for agricultural pro- 
duction. 

Evidently, therefore, the first thing we must look for is the latent sup- 
ply of plant food in soils of different types. This is the capital with which 
the farmer has to work, the bank account that he cannot afford to draw 
upon too heavily. If be does, disastrous results are sure to follow; the 
returns that he will obtain for his labors will gradually decrease, ami 
after a while he will become convinced that "farming don't pay,'' and 
may blame the soil, the climate, the trusts, or anything else be can think 
of, except facing the situation fairly and squarely and admitting to him- 
self that the fault lies, not in the soil, but with himself, in the method of 
farming he has been following. 

In studying the composition of the soil, chemists have learned that all 
arable soils contain certain elements which are absolutely necessary to 
plant life. The proportions and character of these elements vary greatly. 
The elements that x are necessary for plant production are only about a 
dozen in number, viz.: Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, potassium, 
phosphorus, calcium, iron, aluminum, sulphur, chlorine, silicon and sodium. 

Page Three 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



The plant finds these various elements in the soil dissolved in the soil 
water, except the first two elements, which are derived from the air in 
the form of free oxygen and carbonic acid gases. In the mysterious pro- 
cesses of cell-building by plants, the carbonic acid is decomposed into car- 
bon and oxygen, and the former unites with the elements drawn from the 
soil solution ami forms the carbon compounds of which vegetation is largely 
composed. In the absence of any one of the elements mentioned, no plant 
can, however, build up its structure, or continue its own life through 
blossoming and ripening fruits, from which new plants may grow. 

Now it happens that there is an abundance, in all kinds of soils, of 
all the elements given, except of four, viz., nitrogen, phosphorus, potas- 
sium and calcium, and since crop production will be reduced if the supply 
of these runs below a certain point, the art of farming consists, among 
other things, in always maintaining a necessary proportion of them in the 
soil, or in increasing this proportion by direct addition of the missing 
elements so that maximum crops may be secured in farming the land. This 
is done by applications of barn-yard manure containing the w r aste of farm 
animals, or by the addition of artificial fertilizers to the soil. By either 
of these methods the farmer is able to maintain a supply of necessary fer- 
tilizing ingredients in the soil that will secure large crops and good re- 
turns, both for the labor spent in growing crops and for the capital in- 
vested in the farm and its equipment. 

ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS. 

The fertilizing ingredients supplied in artificial fertilizers are the same 
as those found in barnyard manure, viz., nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash 
and lime. These are supplied mainly in the following materials: 

Nitrogen — In nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, or slaughter-house 
offal-products, like dried blood, tankage, etc. 

Phosphoric acid — In bone, rock phosphate, superphosphate, dissolved 
bone, basic slag, etc. 

Potash — In potash salts, like muriate or sulphate of potash, and ir 
wood ashes. 

Lime — Marl or carbonate of lime (Soil Tonic), quick-lime or slaked 
lime. 

We are here concerned more especially with the uses and benefits of 
marl or lime fertilizers and shall not further discuss the other materials, 
beyond stating that they may be secured in sufficient quantities in farm- 
yard manure. 

MARE OR CARBONATE OF LIME. 

Lime is sometimes spoken of, not as a fertilizer, but merely ns a soil 
amendment, or a soil tonic. In order to show that it may have as great 
value as a direct fertilizer as the other generally recognized fertilizer in- 
gredients, it may be well to explain in a few T words the benefits of appli- 
cations of lime to the soil, and the special functions of lime in increasing 
the crop-producing quality of the soil. 

It is an important fact that we find the largest amounts of lime in the 
best kinds of agricultural soils and the least lime in the poorest grades of 
soil. The eminent German authority, Dr. Maercker, gives the following 
standards for the percentage of lime in clay and sandy soil of different 
productive capacity. 

Page Four 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



Per Cent of Lime in Different Soils. 

Clay Soils. Sandy Soils. 

Poor Below .10$ Below .10$ Lime. 

Medium 10 — .25 .10 — .15 

Normal .25 — .50 .15 .20 

Good .50 — 1.00 .20 — .30 

Rich Above 1.00$ Above .30$ 

A study of the figures given in the above table will impress one with 
the importance of liberal fertilization with lime or marl (Soil Tonic) for 
all soils that are naturally low in this compound. It is a safe general rub- 
to go by that applications of Soil Tonic will be required in all cases where 
the per cent of lime in the soil is below .30 per cent in sandy soils and 
1.0 per cent in clay soils. When the per cent falls below these figures, the 
fertility of the soils is not what it should be, and what it will be, if its 
lime content be increased through direct application of our Soil 1 onic. At 
the same time it may be necessary to supply the other valuable fertilizer 
ingredients in the form of barnyard manure or artificial fertilizers, but an 
application of either of these materials will still require liming of the soil. 
Our system of fertilization does not render the use of barnyard manure un- 
necessary, as both are equally important, anil together they will develop 
the soil to its maximum fertility. 

An ample supply of marl or lime in the soil is not only of importance 
for crop production, because plants grow best under these conditions, ami 
some plants, like clover, alfalfa and sugar beets, do especially well in soils 
containing high percentages of lime; but lime has also other important 
functions, viz., to favor nitrification and oxidation of organic matter in 
the soil, to improve its texture, and to correct acidity of soils that have an 
acid reaction. 

BENEFITS OF USING OUR MARL (CARBONATE OF LIME). 

The benefits of liming are briefly stated by the Director of the Rhode 
Island Experiment Station, Professor Wheeler, who has given much spe- 
cial study to this subject, as follows: 

1. Directly, as a substance essential to the growth of agricultural 
plants. Many soils are in need of lime for other reasons, even though 
they have enough of it already, in certain combinations, to meet the strict 
requirements of plant-food. 

2. In promoting the formation of nitric acid and the resulting nitrates 
from both plant and animal refuse (barnyard manure), whether applied 
artificially or existing naturally in the soil. 

3. In neutralizing acids and acid compounds existing in the soil, and 
by rendering harmless other toxic compounds which may accompany soil 
acidity. 

4. Indirectly, in aiding the plant to take more phosphorus, potassium 
and magnesium from the soil than would be possible in the absence of 
lime. 

5. In binding certain loose sandy soils. For this purpose it is beneficial 
only when used in small quantities and preferably as carbonate of lime 
(Soil Tonic). 

b. In flocculating clayey soils, thus making their tillage easier, the 
movement of water and air within them more nearly normal, and in les- 
sening their tendency to "wash." 

Page Five 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



7. In lessening injury by insects, but only in specific cases and when 
used in liberal quantities. 

8. As a means of lessening the injury caused by certain plant dis- 
eases, as, for example, in counteracting the tendency to "finger-and-toe" 
disease in the case of the turnip, cabbage and closely related plants. 

9. As a means of counteracting the occasional ill effects from the use 
of German potash salts, and especiallj of ammonium chlorid and ammon- 
ium sulphate. 

10. In overcoming the tendency of nitrate of soda to cause heavy 
clay soils to become too compact and hence difficult to till. 

11. In preventing or overcoming the injury due to the presence of 
certain toxic iron salts. 

12. In improving the conditions necessary to the welfare of certain 
soil bacteria. 

We note that the benefits of applications of lime fertilizers to the soil 
are either chemical or physical, and it is often a question which of these 
arc of the greater importance. The effect of Soil Tonic, for instance, so far 




Dredging the Raw Material for Soil Tonic 



as the chemical composition of the soil is concerned, is as we have s?en, 
partly to supply a deficiency of lime for crop production and partly to 
correct the acidity of soils from which crops have been harvested for a long 
time. A study of analyses made of different types of soil will show whether 
a soil is likely to be deficient in lime. Chemical analyses of soil cannot, 
however, be made outside of chemical laboratories and call for consider- 
able expert knowledge, besides requiring a great deal of time and expense. 
An acidity test, on the other hand, can he readily made in the held by the 
farmer himself. It may be made by the litmus test which depends on the 
fact that blue litmus paper is changed to a red color when brought into 
contact with an acid solution. The test may be made in two different ways. 

Page Six 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



ACIDITY TEST OF SOILS. 

First Method. Five cents worth of blue litmus paper may be bought 

from a druggist; a handful of the soil is taken, preferably when somewhat 
moist after a rain ; a slit is cut in the earth with a clean jack-knife, ami a 
strip of the litmus paper is inserted in the slit and the soil pressed firmly 
around it. After thirty minutes the strip of paper is taken out ami care- 
fully examined. If the color has been changed to red or pink, the soil 
has an acid reaction. Care should be taken in handling the litmus paper 
so that the portion used for the test does not come in contact with the fin- 
gers ; these ma\ he moist from perspiration, which is also acid in nature 
and will have the same effect on the color of the paper as an acid soil has. 

Second Method. Add water to one-half cup of soil until it is like a 
thick porridge and insert the blue litmus paper without handling the end 
introduced into the soil. After about an hour remove the paper and rinse 
only the lower end. If this is intensely red the soil is acid and limine will 
be necessary. The color is pinkish if much acid vegetable matter is present, 
but if not, it will be brick red in the case of acid soils. 

It is a good plan to test samples of the soil from different places in 
the held and also from different depths. The acidity of acid soils in- 
creases as a rule with the depth, the sub-soil two or three feet down being 
much more acid than the surface soil. 

DANGER OF SOIL ACIDITY. 

A Rhode Island Experiment Station report contains the following as to 
the danger of soil acidity : 

"The value of a satisfactory method for determining the rela- 
tive acidity of soils would seem to be great. 

"A dangerous degree of acidity, or at least a fatal lack of car- 
bonate of lime, appears to exist in upland and naturally well-drained 
soils, and is not confined to muck and peat swamps and very wet 
lands, as most American and many other writers seem to assume, 
in view of which it appears rhar the test for acidity should lie more 
generally applied to such soils. 

"That (his condition of upland soils has not been more duly 
recognized heretofore is not surprising, for the reason that the 
failure, or partial failure, of certain crops, has been attributed to 
winterkilling, poor germination of seeds, drought, excessive mois- 
ture, or attacks of insects or fungi. Upon soils where certain plants 
are injured only to a limited extent by acidity, others would be ex- 
pected to thrive best of all, in consequence of which it is not sur- 
prising that the cause for the partial failure of certain crops upon 
them has not been suspected." 

The legumes, especially clover and alfalfa, and a number of other 
plants, like corn, sugar beets, timothy, etc., do not grow r well on acid soils, 
and it a good growth of clover is secured on a piece of land, the chances 
are that it is not acid and will not need a lime fertilizer. If, on the other 
hand, clover tails to grow where good crops were secured earlier, it is a 
good sign that the soil is acid and the test will show it. A heavy growth 
of sorrel on the land is another indication of an acid condition in the soil 
and that it needs liming. 

If the results of the acidity tests show that a soil is acid, the question 
comes, how may this be corrected? It is necessary to sweeten the soil or 
neutralize the acidity by application of a pure alkali or carbonate of lime. 

Page Seven 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



This is supplied by our marl or Soil Tonic, which is the most valuable 
neutralizer of acid soils on the market. The use of marl or carbonate of 
lime is recommended by the Wisconsin Experiment Station in Bulletin No. 
2(14, and by other experts which we shall mention further on in this 
pamphlet. 

When thoroughly and evenly distributed through the soil one ton or 
more of Soil Tonic per acre will neutralize the acidity of practically all 
sandy sods not high in organic matter, and it is probable that an applica- 
tion of one-half a ton per acre of this material will be sufficient to main- 
tain these soils in a suitable condition for the growth of legumes for some 
time. The Inst application, however, should be at the rate of one ton per 
acre. 

Acidity in soils cannot be corrected by applications of land plaster 
which is composed of calcium sulphate, but can be corrected by caustic 
lime (Calcium Oxide), hydrated lime or air-slacked lime, all of which, 
however, have been used so frequently with disastrous results to crops, 
due to the burning of the life from the soil or plant by this slacking lime, 
as to bring lime fertilization into ill repute. Hut our marl or Soil Tonic 
is undoubtedly the best and cheapest material for correcting the soil acidity 
for the reason that it is composed almost wholly of pure calcium carbonate 
and does not contain hardly any magnesia like the common limestone; it 
is finely powdered and therefore is in a condition to be directly incor- 
porated into the soil and to quickly correct an acid condition. It dnes not 
have the caustic properties, and therefore the destructive action on the 
vegetable matter of the soil, that quick-lime, hydrated lime or magnesia 
limestone have, but is milder in its action and neutralizes the acids formed 
in clay soils, changing their reaction to neutral or alkaline, which is fa- 
vorable and necessary to the transformation of inert plant food in the soil 
to available food materials and favorable to the production of large crops. 
Readers desiring further information concerning the subject of liming and 
lime fertilizers are referred to Farmers' Bulletin No. 77, "Liming of 
Soils." by Dr. Wheeler of Rhode Island Station. This bulletin, like all 
others of the series, may be obtained upon application to the Secretary of 
Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOIL TONIC. 

The following analysis recently made by Professor Woll, Chief Chem- 
ist in charge of fertilizer inspection at the Wisconsin Experiment Station, 
shows the composition of Soil Tonic. 

.Moisture, 0.(18 per cent. 

Calcium carbonate, 91.95 per cent. 

Insoluble matter, 4.(>.-! per cent. 

Organic matter, 1.59 per cent. 

Undetermined, 1.75 per cent. 



100.00 per cent. 
In reporting the preceding analysis, Professor Woll writes as follows: 

"The results of our analysis show that the marl is practically 
pure calcium carbonate, since about !»:."; thereof is made up of that 
component. It does not contain any appreciable quantity of clay or 

Page Eight 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



other inert matter, and at the price which I understand you are 
selling this 'soil tonic,' it makes a cheap and effective material for 
correcting soil acidity, for supplying lime to soils that are deficient 
in this component, and for ameliorating the physical condition of 
clay, sandy or marshy soils. The importance of lime, and especially 
of carbonate of lime (marl), both as a soil amendment or tonic, and 
as a direct fertilizer on certain types of soils, has been brought out 
strongly by recent investigations, and more attention will doubtless 
be paid in the future to this phase of the soil fertility problem than 
was previously the case. Above all, we see more clearly now than 
in the past the danger of soils becoming acid by continuous crop- 
ping and the importance of correcting soil acidity by applications of 
carbonate of lime compounds, like Soil Tonic." 

We have thus tar shown the importance of lime fertilizers, and espe- 
cially Calcium Carbonate in modern agriculture and have seen that 
"Soil Tonic" supplies the much needed and valuable carbonate of lime 
in practically a pure condition. We have incidentally given hints as to its 
application, quantities to be used, etc., but it may be well to add a icw 
words along this line, in order to guard against mistakes and to enable 
farmers to secure the best possible results from applications of Soil Tonic, 




Soil Tonic Plant at Dousman, Wis. 



APPLICATIONS OF SOIL TONIC. 

"Soil Tonic" is preferably applied in the fall after plowing, except on 
sandy soil, where it may be added in the spring. It is best handled by sow- 
ing it with a lime spreader, or a fertilizer drill. This may be set so 
as to sow from 500 pounds to six tons to the acre; light applications 
may be used on sandy soils, and heavier on heavy clay soils where the effect 
sought is to modify the physical condition of the soil. If a fair supply of 
Soil Tonic is sown on the held, say at the rate of one ton or more per acre, 
the application need not be repeated for five or six years. The best plan 
is to sow the Tonic soon after plowing and to harrow the land vigorously 
so as to get the Tonic evenly distributed in the soil and in direct contact 
with the soil particles, thus securing a speedy action of the Tonic and the 
full effect during the first season. 

Page Nine 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



Soil Ionic is often spread on rye and other grains in the spring; some- 
times on corn after planting, but of course none of these methods are as 
efficient as a fall sowing on fresh plowing. 

Several tanners are using Soil Tonic as a moisture absorber in the 
manure pits of their stables and then spreading it with the manure on a 
regular spreader. As Soil Tonic will absorb an extremely high percentage 
ot moisture this is a good method. 

Others are adding several bags of Soil Tonic to each load as the 
spreader is taken to the field. 

On our experimental farm we are using from one ton to ten tons per 
acre, some of the soil having been cropped for years before without treat- 
ment until nothing but sand remained. ^i ou would be surprised to see 
the way alfalfa, rye, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes and garden stuff are 
growing where others said we could raise nothing. 

Last year we placed a few pounds of Soil Tonic around each vine in 
the garden with a result that we had luscious melons when everything else 
was parched with drought. 

Further suggestions as to the influence and benefits of lime fertilizers, 
and especially as to applications of carbonate of lime will be found in the 
extracts given below which have been taken from the writings of the best 
American and foreign authorities on the subject of soil fertility. These will 
throw additional light on the question of the maintenance or improvement 
of the fertility of our farm lands and will show farmers that these experts 
are united in the view that applications of carbonate of lime are essential on 
most cultivated soils, tor the purpose of putting them in the best possible 
condition for crop production, as regards both their chemical and mechani- 
cal composition, and thus helping farmers to grow the largest crops their 
land is capable of producing. 

VIEWS OF LEADING AUTHORITIES. 
Professor I hill. Director of Rothamsted Experimental Station, Eng- 
land (perhaps the greatest living authority on subjects relating to soils and 
fertilizers ) : 

Clay Soils- "The difficulty of working up heavy soils is much 
mitigated if they contain an appreciable quantity of carbonate of 
lime (Soil Tonic), because that substance constantly dissolves in the 
soil water which has gathered carbon dioxide from the decayed 
humus, and thus forms a solution of bi-carbonate of lime which 
keeps the soil particles flocculated. * * Clay soils are very 

often deficient in carbonate of lime so that dressings of lime are of 
special value, both in supplying this needed constituent and in 
bringing about the flocculation of the finest particles, thus improv- 
ing the texture and rendering the soils drier and warmer. 

"Garden Soils. At the present day the need of some treatment 
is often seen in old gardens, particularly in old town gardens which 
are situated upon gravel soils, initially very short of the finer soil 
particles. The constant breaking of the surface by cultivation, and 
the use of large quantities of stable manure, which decays and 
leaves the soil open, result in a continual washing down of the finest 
particles, until the remaining soil loses all power of cohesion and of 
resisting drought, falling into dusty powder immediately on drying. 
A coating of Soil Tonic in the early autumn, or Soil Tonic and clay, 
is the only method of giving consistency to such a soil, and soon 
remedies its worst defects, such as susceptibility to drought and 
rapid fluctuations of temperature, and tendency to produce soft 
vegetation, very liable to disease." 

Page Ten 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



Primrose McConnell, a noted English author and lecturer: 

"There are very few soils that do not require a dressing of lime 
for the purpose of ameliorating their physical condition and of de- 
veloping their fertility. * * * * Of all the component parts of 
a soil the most important one is lime, for though it is not so 
necessary as a plant ingredient itself, yet it is the great controller 
of fertility in the soil. Wherever limestone predominates in a dis- 
trict we have a 'rich' country, — both the live stock and the crops 
are heavier and thriving, and one of no lime has a correspondingly 
disastrous effect.'' 

Professor If heeler, Director of Rhode Island Experiment Station: 

"At a time before the actual mineral requirements of plants 
were understood, it came to he an adage that 'liming makes rich 
fathers, but poor sons." Fortunately the action of lime is now so 




Interior View of Soil Tonic Plant 

well understood, and its varying effect, dependent on the variety of 
plant, has been so fully studied, that many of the difficulties in un- 
derstanding earlier results have now vanished. The well-known 
action of lime in rendering other substances more easily available to 
plants, and hence in reducing their quantity in the soil with the 
natural increase in crop production, explains readily why liming by 
the father was at the expense of the son. Today it is known to be 
the best policy to keep the soil in the proper chemical and physical 
condition by occasional liming, and to supplement the lime with 
such quantities of the other mineral substances as the crops may 
require.'' 

Dr. Van Slyke, Chemist of the Geneva Experiment Station: 

"What are the effects of lime components in soil? (1) material 
is furnished to combine with the acids and keep the soils sweet; (2) 
the work of soil bacteria is favored, especially of those that convert 

Page Eleven 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



insoluble nitrogen com pounds into available forms and of those that 
work on the roots of leguminous plants in making atmospheric nitro- 
gen available; (3) the physical constitution of clay soils is improved 
by being made more open and of sandy soils by being made less 
open." 

Professor Patterson, Director of the Maryland Experiment Station: 
"The effect of shell marl compared with other sources of lime 
during an experiment covering 11 years are as follows: 

"Total yield of corn per acre during four seasons: No fertilizer, 

97.5 bushels; stone lime, 127.7 bushels; shell marl (Soil Tonic), 
154.0 bushels. 

"Three crops of wheat: No fertilizer, 31.9 bushels; stone lime, 

33.6 bushels; shell marl (Soil Tonic), 43.4 bushels. 



2 00 pounds; stone lime, 
8,580 pounds." 
of the Illinois Experiment 



"Four crops of hay: No fertilizer, F> 
6,700 pounds, and shell marl (Soil Tonic) 
Professor Hopkins, the noted soil expert 
Station : 

"Three things that are absolutely necessary for the permanent 
improvement of the level upland timber and prairie soils of southern 
Illinois should always be kept in mind: They are lime, phosphorus, 
and humus — lime to correct the acid in the soil; phosphorus to sup- 
ply an element in which the soil is markedly deficient and which is 
sold in nearly all farm products, especially in grain and bone; and 




Soil Tonic Warehouse at Dousman, Wis. 

humus, or decaying organic matter, to be made largely from clover 
or other legumes, which get nitrogen from the air — humus which as 
it decays will liberate phosphorus from the cheapest source (rock 
phosphate) and which will also at the same time liberate potassium 
and other mineral plant foods from the practically inexhaustible 
supply in the soil. Without lime clover cannot lie grown, and with- 
out phosphorus all crops will ultimately fail, so that humus cannot 
lie made — and humus is the 'life of the soil.' 

Professor Whitson, of the Wisconsin College of Agriculture: 

Marsh Soils — "Much improvement has been made in the marsh 
lands of northern Wisconsin by the use of lime in addition to phos- 
phate and potash fertilizers." 

Professor Frank T. Shutt, the able Chemist of the Dominion Experi- 
ment Farms, writes in the Farmers' Advocate (Canada) as follows: 



Page Twelve 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



"Marl is an extremely valuable form in which to apply lime, 
as excess thereof does no injury to the soil, and in this respect is 
unlike quick or caustic lime. Of course it cannot in any sense be 
regarded as a substitute for barnyard manure, nor can it be used 
in the place of commercial fertilizers — the function of which is to 
furnish nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. It is to be considered 
as a useful amendment rather than as a fertilizer. Improving the 
tilth, neutralizing acidity and promoting nitrification are among 
its chief functions, though it has a distinct value as a supplier of 
lime (an element necessary for plant growth) for soils deficient in 
that constituent. It can be used on all classes of soils, but its best 
results are more commonly obtained from heavy clays and peaty 
loams." 

And finally we quote from Hoard's Dairyman and The Union, edited 
by former Gov. W. D. Hoard, himself a large user of our Soil Tonic, and 
one of the leading dairymen anil agriculturalists in the country, as follows: 

"WHAT LIME WILL DO. — All of the grains, corn and 
blue grass, the apple and other fruits, and lastly, alfalfa, come to 
their best estate on soil strongly impregnated with lime. The won- 
derful blue grass pastures of Kentucky, the Middle Basin of Ten- 
nessee, the splendid apple region of Central New York and that 
wonderful tongue of land in northeastern Wisconsin, lying between 
Green Bay and Lake Michigan, called Door county, where the apple, 
the plum, and the cherry grow marvelously, are all based on lime 
rock. These are things we should not forget. W'herever the lime 
rock abounds, there alfalfa responds. 

"Now, with all that logic of nature before them told, it may 
be a hundred times, what shall we say for the gimp and intelligence 
of the farmer, who cannot be made to use * * * * ground marl, 
on his land, whose mind cannot stretch out far enough to take in this 
important lesson and yet who really wants to grow alfalfa and make 
money on his farm? 'How long, Oh, Lord! how long?' said the 
prophet." 

"SOMETHING ABOUT ALFALFA. — As farmers, the more we 
read, study and observe about the raising of alfalfa, surely the more 
we ought to know about it. And then, the more we know the better 
and surer ought our success with it to be. We think that has already 
baen proven true by the farmers of this county. What did they 
know about the growing of alfalfa twelve years ago? And how 
much of it was grown then? But now, one can hardly go into any 
part of the county that he will not see fields of it growing. There 
are a few things we wish to speak about in a warning way. The 
severe drouth last summer checked the growth of the third crop 
very much, but the August and September rains have brought it 
forward in grand shape. In this climate alfalfa must make a good 
strong growth in the fall, to protect it during the winter, or else it 
is very liable to freeze out. That was one of the first things we 
discovered in our experimental work with it fifteen years ago. But 
a large number of our farmers are cutting this third crop at the 
present time, which is too late for the fourth crop to make much of 
a growth before winter. If we have a late warm fall and plenty of 
snow during next winter, it may go through all right, but the risk 
is very great. But suppose the contrary happens, what then? To 
cut it this late is running the risk of getting a crop now and de- 
stroying the chance of three crops next year. That is paying too 
big a price for this late crop. 

"Another thing: Alfalfa is very greedy of lime and phosphate. 
Now both of these elements must lie supplied if the alfalfa gets 
them. The more there is of lime and phosphate in our soil the more 
steadfast is the alfalfa and this is just as true of red clover as it is 
of alfalfa. 

Page Thirteen 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 



"We wish to suggest to the farmers of this county in particular, 
that they send out to the Eagle Lime Products Co. of Dousman, 
Waukesha Co., and buy some of their ground marl and spread it at 
the rate of a ton to the acre on their alfalfa. Do it this fall so the 
rains will dissolve it. This prepared marl is about !N', calcium car- 
bonate of lime. This is the best way to put lime on our 
soil, for unlike quick lime, it will not eat out the humus and thus 
take out i he nitrogen that we so much need. The freight on a car- 
load should be about the same as on coal. Let two or three neigh- 
bors combine and gel a carload and try it. We have used over a 
rload of .mound limestone on our alfalfa and we believe it has paid 
us well. The farmers of Jefferson county must commence to put 
back some of the natural elements of the soil that they have been 
taking out in all these years. The time to do it is now, before the 
soil is too badly exhausted. The two elements our land needs most 
are lime and phosphate. If we supply these it will tell wonderfully 
on certain crops, particularly alfalfa. Money spent for those things 
is put out at a big rate of interest. Try it and see if our advice will 
i o1 conic t rue." 

This is plain truth that should interest every dairyman and farmer, 
ami comes from a man whose word is respected among dairymen and agri- 
culturalists and whose principal interest is to develop the farming resources 
of Wisconsin. 



M^s 




'jsmmamam 



J --0 v 






Shewing Our Excellent Shipping Facilities 

THE MANUFACTURE OF SOIL TONIC. 

Our large plant is located six miles South of Dousman, Wis. The 
raw material from which our fertilizer is prepared is a very high grade 
shell marl. It is found in an old lake bottom. 

The marl is dredged by a large steam dredge, and after being air dried, 
is taken into our mill and dried in a huge kiln, built especially for that pur- 
pose. Two powerful gas producers, under absolute control of one man, 
supply the proper heat to dry the marl thoroughly without burning it. 



Page Fourteen 



SOIL TONIC AND ITS USES 

After being passed through a long rotary cooler, the dry marl is distributed 
by a patent arrangement to our grinders and separators. It is ground to 
Hour so as to be easily applied to the soil and quickly available for plant 
life. The last step in the manufacture is the packing and shipping. Our 
Soil Tonic is packed in 100 pound burlap bags. 

In addition to the storage capacity of our plant, the Company has 
erected a large warehouse at Dousman, so as to have on hand a sufficient 
amount to supply all demands. Farmers in the vicinity can also drive to 
our warehouse and call for such quantity as desired. 

Our plant is in charge of an expert chemist, who is constantly testing 
and watching our product, and who is pleased at all time- to answer special 
questions relating to Soil Tonic and its uses. 

The Company has also purchased two large farms near the plant and 
is conducting agricultural experiments with its product. Both farms, 
when purchased, were run down and their fertility long exhausted, but 
by the application of three or more tons per acre of Soil Tonic, these 
farms now produce alfalfa., grains, corn, vegetables, melons and even 
sweet potatoes. 

WHICH DOES IT PAY TO USE? 

Comparative Analysis of Soil Tonic and Dolomite Limestones. 

.1 // ord About Dolomite Limestones. 

In comparing our Carbonate of Lime with limestones, we call your 

attention to some comparative analyses between our Soil Tonic and the 

less expensive limestones. 

SOIL TONIC. Dolomite Limestones. 

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 

Silica 1.45 per cent 3.80 .SI) 1. 00 

Iron and Alumina Oxides ( >S .(»() .2(1 .(,1) 

Calcium Carbonate 95.00 53.05 58.01 56.50 

Magnesia Carbonate 1.39 37.22 40.33 40.20 

Sulphuric Acid 09 .05 .06 .10 

Stop for a moment and figure what the Calcium Carbonate of the 
Dolomite Limestone is going to cost. The other elements are practically 
valueless to you. Figure the original cost — the cost of hauling, handling, 
spreading ami the long delay due to the slowness of action. Soil Tonic 
is almost absolutely pure — it comes to you in 100 lb. bags and every 
pound is of value, fine enough to take almost instant effect on a sour soil. 

CONCLUSION. 

We have endeavored to place before you fairly and impartially the 
results of experience of lime users in other states and of the investigations 
of experts in the field of agriculture. You will have to determine your 
own business policy — whether you will continue as heretofore or will enjoy 
Better Farming by use of our Soil Tonic on your lands. We guarantee 
our product to be thoroughly satisfactory. Write us today for further 
information or send us an order for a trial carload. 

EAGLE LIME PRODUCTS CO., 

Office, Pereles Building, 
Plant — Dousman, Wis. Milwaukee, Wis. 

Page Fifteen 



SEP 22 »9*l 




The Eagle Force Feed Lime and Fertilizer Sower 

is a machine that is perfectly adapted lor sowing all kinds of fertilizer, 
lime, ashes and other substances. It sows them accurately and evenly. 

The CAPACITY of the box and hopper is large and holds about 
twelve bushels. 

Each machine is built with a screen that sorts out stone or other 
foreign matter from the lime or other substance that is being sown, and 
this does away with the necessity of the screening beforehand of the 
material to be used. The screen is arranged on hinges, so that the dumping 
of the undesirable matter is instantaneous and without trouble. 

The AXLES are cold rolled steel 1 7-1 6 inches in diameter and 9 feet 
long. The axle is free, and aside from the bearings there is no part of the 
machine attached to it. The wheels are loose on the axle and held on by 
cotter pins. 

Especial attention is called to our AGITATING MECHANISM. 
This is made of STEEL TUBING and BARS. The bars are bolted 
around the tubing. The complete agitator is carried back and forth length- 
wise of the box by the revolving of the third wheel, which is on the outside 
and attached to the right hand first wheel and revolves in unison. Each 
revolution of the wheel, the agitator is carried in either direction covering 
the entire surface of the bottom of the box, three times. 

The OPENINGS at the BOTTOM of BOX, at all times, whether 
a large or small quantity is being sown, are square. There are twenty-nine 
different apertures for the material to pass through between the two ends 
of the machine. The flow is continual whether a large or small quantity 
is being sown. 

The CHANGE OF QUANTITY OF FLOW is instantaneous by 
simply changing the position of the lever that regulates the slide which is 
at the rear and bottom of the hopper. This change can be made while in 
motion or otherwise at the will of the operator. The amount of MA- 
TERIAL SOWN to the acre can, at the pleasure of the operator, be regu- 
lated to any amount from 25 to 5,000 pounds. 

This machine is a practical one at a moderate price for the sowing 
broadcast of prepared or granular lime, nitrate of soda, commercial fer- 
tilizers, land plaster, dry wood ashes and other substances that are to be 
evenly sown over the surface of the ground. Write for Prices. 




Pereles Bide 



Milwaukee, Wis. 



Page Sixteen 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



liiilllllillNinilllll 

002 756 172 ft • 



